What the Secondary Counselor Should Know about College Student Attrition.

Canada, Richard M.; And Others

This article reviews the literature on university student attrition and comments on general implications for secondary school counselors. The reasons that dropouts leave school are assessed, e.g., lack of interaction with faculty, a perceived lack of progress, and financial/family problems; and characteristics of non-returning students are identified, e.g., low academic ability and lack of motivation to be in school. The role of the secondary counselor in identifying potential dropouts and offering appropriate services to the student prior to college attendance is discussed. Examples of specific counseling techniques are given along with remedial actions which may increase the student's odds of a successful college career. The importance of an appropriate selection of a college campus is also discussed. (JAC)